PRESS GUIDE ALL RUNNERS ARE BEAUTIFUL

Birell Grand Prix 5&10Km 7 September 2019

#PragueGrandPrix #womens5km ENG BIRELL 5&10 KM INFORMATION FOR JOURNALISTS Dear Friends of Sport,

Welcome to the 24th Birell Prague Grand Prix.

The Press Guide you are holding in your hand contains key information for journalists relating to the Birell Prague Grand Prix. You will also fi nd a brief summary of the participating elite athletes including their split times which off ers indication of their record-breaking potential. Further race-related information can be found in the Magazine. We hope you will fi nd everything you need to carry out your work here. If you require any additional information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of the press team PRESS TEAM

Diana Rybachenko Marketing & Communication +420 777 746 801 [email protected]

Bohuslav Stehno PR & Media +420 606 044 637 [email protected]

Matěj Hejda PR & Media +420 606 044 622 [email protected]

James Moberly International Media +420 737 186 997 [email protected] PRESS CENTRE You need to head to the Press Centre to collect your race accreditation pass. Journalists can also fi nd the most up-to-date race-related information here plus facilities to aid them with their work including connection to the internet.

All accredited journalists can use the facilities, Wi-Fi, as well as access our results service and follow the live race action. A post-race press conference with the winners of the Birell Prague Grand Prix will also be held here.

Thursday 5th – Friday 6th September: Saturday 7th September – race day Hilton Prague Hilton Prague Old Town Barcelona room Liszt room Pobřežní 1 V Celnici 7 Praha 8, Karlín Praha 1

Opening times: Thursday 5th September from 11:00 to 20:30 Barcelona room, Hilton Prague, Pobřežní 1 Friday 6th September from 8:30 to 20:30 Barcelona room, Hilton Prague, Pobřežní 1 Saturday 7th September from 10:00 to 22:00 Liszt room, Hilton Prague Old Town, V Celnici 7

2 MEDIA CAR Take advantageadvantage of the opopportunityportunity to ride in a sa specialpecial vehicle which travels ahead of the elite runners throughoutthroughout thethe race!

• Unique experiences • Unique photography • Journalism directly fromfrom the course

Book a placea place in the Press Centre or by contactincontactingg Bohuslav Stehno on tel.: +420 606 044 637 LIVE ON ČT SPORT AND iVYSÍLANÍ.CZ

/RunCzech #PragueGrandPrix

@RunCzech #PragueGrandPrix #womens5km SPORTISIMOBIRELL PRAGUE PRAGUE GRAND HALF PRIX 5&10 KM PRESS CONFERENCES

Friday 6th September Pre-race press conference 11:00 Cloud 9, Hilton Prague, Pobřežní 1 Saturday 7th September Post-race press conference 20:30 Chopin room, Hilton Prague Old Town, V Celnici 7 MEDIA PROGRAMME

Monday 2nd September Grand Prix Expo 12:00 - 19:00 Mall, Františka Křížka

Tuesday 3rd September Grand Prix Expo 12:00 - 19:00 Running Mall, Františka Křížka

Wednesday 4th September Grand Prix Expo 12:00 - 19:00 Running Mall, Františka Křížka

Thursday 5th September Grand Prix Expo 12:00 - 19:00 Running Mall, Františka Křížka Press centre 11:00 - 20:30 Barcelona room, Hilton Prague, Pobřežní 1

Friday 6th September Press centre 8:30 - 20:30 Barcelona room, Hilton Prague, Pobřežní 1 Grand Prix Expo 9:00 - 20:00 Running Mall, Františka Křížka Pre-race press conference 11:00 Cloud 9, Hilton Prague, Pobřežní 1

European Running Business Conference (registration required)

13:30 – 20:00 Ballroom, Hilton Prague

4 PRESS GUIDE

Saturday 7th September Grand Prix Expo 08:00 - 15:00 Running Mall, Františka Křížka European Running Business Conference 9:00 – 16:30 Ballroom, Hilton Prague Press centre 10:00 - 22:00 Liszt room, Hilton Prague Old Town, V Celnici 7 Opening of partner stands 12:00 Republiky square Launch of the day programme 16:00 Republiky square New running series announcement 16:30 – 17:00 Karlin I, Hilton Prague Start of the Women’s Race 5km 18:00 Republiky square Start of the Birell 10K Race 19:30 Republiky square Anticipated arrival of the 1st man 19:57 Republiky square Anticipated arrival of the 1st woman 20:00 Republiky square Award ceremony Birell 10K Race– men 20:05 Republiky square

Award ceremony Birell 10K Race – women 20:10 Republiky square

Award ceremony Birell 10K Race 20:15 Republiky square Czech men and women Post-race press conference 20.30 Chopin, Hilton Prague Old Town, V Celnici 7

Institutional Title partner Title partner partner Birell 10K Race adidas Women’s Race 5km

Main partners

5 EUROPEAN RUNNING KEY CONFERENCE THEMES FRIDAY 6. 9. BUSINESS CONFERENCE OPENING OF THE CONFERENCE 14:30-14:45 Prague is getting ready to host a major sporting social event. From 6th to 8th September in DIGITAL RUNNING 15:05-16:00 collaboration with RunCzech, the European Athletic REVOLUTION TRENDS 16:30-17:45 Association will be hosting the European Running Business Conference (www.erbc2019.com). The INNOVATIONS 18:15-19:45 elite in world and European athletics, along with companies employing modern technologies in the world of sport will come together at the Hilton Prague. They will share their know-how, trends around running events and development in the fi eld of sports business. As such Prague will become a world centre for running with hundreds of guests expected to attend. The ERBC takes place every two years; the last of which was held in Frankfurt am Main in 2017.

The conference schedule for Friday kick-off will focus primarily on the theme of digitalisation in running and monitoring modern trends. On Saturday the topic will shift to business, exploring business models, networking and optimisation of running events. The fi nal part on Sunday focuses on how to motivate the population to get involved in sport and discussions around their overall health.

The discussion panel appearing in Prague will include personalities from the highest ranks of international and continental athletics plus road races. Speakers at the conference will include CEO of the International Athletics Association Federation (IAAF) Jon Ridgeon who will deliver a presentation about digitalisation and new experiences in running as a sport. The president of AIMS (Association of International and Distance Runs) Paco Boraoa will also deliver a talk on current trends.

RunCzech President and Chair of the IAAF Committee Carlo Capalbo will also take to the stage to talk about looking for new business models. He will also be joined by many other personalities.

“We’re really proud that the European Athletic Association has placed its trust in us and given us the opportunity to co-organise as well as host such a major event. It’s proof that RunCzech is respected all over the world and seen as a top organiser of diff erent events including sport”, Sašo Belovski, RunCzech business development director, reveals. It’s a huge honour for us to be able to contribute to spreading the positive reputation and image of our organisation, as well as the city of Prague and the Czech Republic as a whole. It is a wonderful opportunity to be among key players in the fi eld,” he added. KEY CONFERENCE THEMES The conference will take place as part of the Birell Prague Grand Prix which ranks among the SATURDAY 7. 9. world’s top running events. It has also gained FROM SPONSORSHIP prestige for hosting the top women’s world TO OWNERSHIP 9:00-10:15 record in the 10K road distance, a feat achieved in 2017 by the Kenyan long-distance runner SEEKING OUT NEW . BUSINESS MODELS 15:15-16:15 The Birell Prague Grand Prix Praha is the seventh SUNDAY 8.9. race in the RunCzech season while also boasts TECHNOLOGY AND the prestigious IAAF Road Race Gold Label. PLANNING WORKSHOP 8:30-9:30

RUNNING EXPERIENCE IN ACTIVATION 10:00-11:00 19:57 / 21:00 19:57 19:55 / 20:52 start / cíl start / finish start Prix expo Grand Prix Expo Grand první pomoc aid first Music Point Birell toalety toilets stanice občerstvovací point refreshment 9 10 ) 19:44 / 20:18 19:52 / 20:43 19:52 19:47 / 20:26 19:47 19:49 / 20:35 19:49 C - B 7 5 8 6 - A METRO ( Předpokládaný čas prvního a posledního běžce (časový limit) (časový čas prvního a posledního běžce Předpokládaný time) runner (cutoff and the last time of the first Estimated 3 19:35 / 19:52 19:32 / 19:44 19:38 / 20:01 19:41 / 20:09 19:41 trasa závodu/ směr závodu závodu/ trasa of the race direction course/ race km vzdálenost km distance zázemí technické area technical seřadiště line-up významné památky významné important monuments 1 3 2 4

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Karlův most 3 BIRELL GRAND PRIX PRAHA – BIRELL PRAGUE GRAND PRIX – 6:00 pm – start 2019 7 September 18.00 | – start: září 2019 7. MAP – START AND FINISH MAPA – START A CÍL START ADIDAS WOMEN’S RACE 5 KM: 6 PM / 18:00 7. SEPTEMBER / 7 ZÁŘÍ 2019 START BIRELL 10K RACE: 7:30 PM / 19:30

1 GUEST ZONE 4 TECHNICAL AREA 6 AWARD PODIUM

2 PRESS CENTRE 5 COURSE 7 RACE HEADQUARTERS

3 START/FINISH

5 2

6

3 2 START 7 1 9 2 FINISH

4

The area around the start/fi nish will be reserved exclusively for journalists to take photographs. PRESS GUIDE EVENT RECORDS:

• EVENT RECORD – MEN: 0:26:46 (2018), (KEN) • EVENT RECORD – WOMEN: 0:29:43 (2017), JOYCILINE JEPKOSGEI (KEN)

• EUROPEAN RACE RECORD – MEN: 0:27:55 (2017), SONDRE MOEN (NOR) • EUROPEAN RACE RECORD – WOMEN: 0:32:23 (2018), SARAH VAN DER WIELEN-LAHTI (SWE)

• CZECH RACE RECORD – MEN: 0:29:26 (1999), PAVEL FASHINGBAUER • CZECH RACE RECORD – WOMEN: – 0:33:07 (2015), EVA VRABCOVÁ

11 BIRELL PRAGUE GRAND PRIX 5&10 KM – ELITE LIST – MEN

Country Name & Surname Start Number Date of birth Personal record KEN Geoff rey KOECH GEOFFREY 28.08.1993 27:18.0 ETH Jemal Yimer MEKONNEN JEMAL 11.09.1996 27:54.0 KEN Vedic KIPKOECH VEDIC 05.03.1996 27:26.0 KEN Bravin Kipkogei KIPTOO BRAVIN 26.02.2000 27:31.0 KEN Kennedy KIMUTAI KENNEDY 03.06.1999 27:38.0 KEN Abraham KIPYATICH ABRAHAM 10.05.1993 27:38.0 MAR Hicham AMGHAR HICHAM 15.05.1994 27:46.0 RSA Mbuleli Maxwell MANTANGA MBULELI 24.09.1993 27:48.0 KEN Benard KIMELI BENARD 10.09.1995 27:10.0 KEN Edward Kibet KIPROP EDWARD 04.04.1999 27:50.0 KEN James BUNUKA JAMES 01.11.1997 27:45.59 ESP Hamid BEN DAOUD HAMID 19.02.1996 28:07.0 KEN Daniel Kipchumba CHEBII DANIEL 25.05.1985 28:33.33 GER Sebastian HENDL SEBASTIAN 01.12.1995 28:27.11 ROM Nicolae Alexandru SOARE NICOLAS 20.09.1991 28:54.0 SWE Napoleon SOLOMON NAPOLEON 14.02.1994 28:33.33 GER Philipp PFLIEGER PHILIPP 16.07.1987 28:40.39 SWE Mikael EKVALL MIKAEL 18.06.1989 29:14.0 SUI Eric RÜTTIMANN ERIC 07.12.1992 29:34.0 POL Arkadiusz GARDZIELEWSKI ARKADIUSZ 12.06.1986 29:14.0 FRA Mehdi FRERE MEHDI 27.07.1996 29:27.0 ESP Jaume Leiva BEATO JAUME 30.07.1983 29:53.0 CZE Vít PAVLIŠTA VÍT 22.03.1985 29:52.0 GER Arne GABIUS ARNE 22.03.1981 28:07.0 GER Felix PLINKE FELIX 18.07.1989 30:01.0 CZE David VAŠ DAVID 16.10.1990 31:34.0 CZE Tomáš NAVRÁTIL TOMÁŠ 31.07.1988 31:31.0 CZE Milan JANOUŠEK MILAN 23.01.1991 31:25.0

Offi cial partners 12 BIRELL PRAGUE GRAND PRIX 5&10 KM – ELITE LIST – WOMEN

Country Name & Surname Start Number Date of birth Personal record KEN Fancy CHEMUTAI FANCY 20.03.1994 30:06.0 KEN Gloria KITE GLORIA 10.01.1998 30:26.0 KEN Norah GERUTO NORAH 02.10.1995 30:57.0 KEN Dorcas Jepchumba KIMELI DORCAS 05.07.1997 31:09.0 ETH Alemaddis EYAYU ALEMADDIS 01.01.1999 31:39.0 KEN Sheila CHEPKIRUI SHEILA 27.12.1990 30:28.0 KEN Naomi VAATI NAOMI 03.05.1986 32:13.0 UKR Darya MYKHAILOVA DARYA 29.04.1989 32:27.0 KEN Irine Chepet CHEPTAI IRENE 04.02.1992 31:45.0 GBR Clara EVANS CLARA 27.11.1993 33:20.0 MDA Lilia FISIKOVICI LILIA 29.03.1989 32:54.0 CRO Matea PARLOV MATEA 02.06.1992 35:00.0 CZE Hana HOMOLKOVÁ HANA 03.05.1996 36:08.0 CZE Petra KAMÍNKOVÁ PETRA 19.01.1973 32:28.0

13 START NUMBERS OVERVIEW – BIRELL 10K RACE

ELITE ATHLETES MEN 5 KEN 10 RSA 15 KEN 20 SWE Amos Mbuleli Maxwell James Napoleon KURGAT MANTANGA BUNUKA SOLOMON 0:27:32 0:27:48 0:27:45.59 0:28:33.33 AMOS MBULELI JAMES NAPOLEON

1 KEN 6 KEN 11 KEN 16 ESP 21 GER Geoff rey Bravin Kipkogei Benard Hamid Philipp KOECH KIPTOO KIMELI BEN DOUD PFLIEGER 0:27:18 0:27:31 0:27:10 0:28:07 0:28:40.39 GEOFFREY BRAVIN BENARD HAMID PHILIPP

2 KEN 7 KEN 12 KEN 17 KEN 22 SUI Vincent Kiprotich Kennedy Edward Kibet Daniel Kipchumba Eric KIBET KIMUTAI KIPROP CHEBII RÜTTIMANN 0:27:21 0:27:38 0:27:50 0:27:35 0:29:34 VINCENT KENNEDY EDWARD DANIEL ERIC

3 ETH 8 KEN 13 KEN 18 GER 23 POL Jemal Yimer Abraham Mathew Kipkorir Sebastian Arkadiusz MEKONNEN KIPYATICH KIMELI HENDL GARDZIELEWSKI 0:27:54 0:27:38 0:27:11 0:28:27.11 0:29:14 JEMAL ABRAHAM MATHEW SEBASTIAN ARKADIUSZ

4 KEN 9 MAR 14 KEN 19 ROM 24 FRA Vedic Hicham Josphat Nicolae Alexandru Mehdi KIPKOECH AMGHAR CHUMO SOARE FRERE 0:27:26 0:27:46 0:27:58 0:28:54 0:29:27 VEDIC HICHAM JOSPHAT NICOLAS MEHDI

14 PRESS GUIDE

ELITE ATHLETES WOMEN 26 ESP 30 CZE F5 ETH F10 KEN Jaume Leiva David Alemaddis Monicah Jepkemoi BEATO VAŠ EYAYU CHIRCHIR 0:29:53 0:31:34 0:31:39 0:32:28.32 JAUME DAVID ALEMADDIS MONICAH

27 CZE 31 CZE F1 KEN F6 KEN F11 GBR Vít Tomáš Fancy Sheila Clara PAVLIŠTA NAVRÁTIL CHEMUTAI CHEPKIRUI EVANS 0:29:52 0:31:31 0:30:06 0:30:28 0:33:20 VÍT TOMÁŠ FANCY SHEILA CLARA

25 GER 32 CZE F2 KEN F7 KEN F12 CRO Arne Milan Gloria Irine Chepet Matea GABIUS JANOUŠEK KITE CHEPTAI PARLOV 0:28:07 0:31:25 0:30:26 0:31:45 0:35:00 ARNE MILAN GORIA IRINE MATEA

28 GER F3 KEN F8 KEN F14 CZE Felix Norah Naumi Vaati Hana PLINKE JERUTO NDOLO HOMOLKOVÁ 0:30:01 0:30:57 0:32:13 0:36:08 FELIX NORAH NAUMI HANA

29 GBR F4 KEN F9 UKR F15 CZE Nick Dorcas Jepchumba Darya Petra SAMUELS KIMELI MYKHAILOVA KAMÍNKOVÁ 0:30:13 0:31:09 0:32:27 0:32:28 NICK DORCAS DARYA PETRA

15 BIRELL PRAGUE GRAND PRIX 5&10 KM TOUGHER. FASTER. BEAUTIFUL! A touch faster and livelier than before. Welcome to the Jepkosgei, the superstar of distance runs, also earned course of the new Birell Prague Grand Prix put together legend status here. Then last year her compatriot by the RunCzech organisers for this year’s race. Entering Rhonex Kipruto was just three seconds shy of breaking its 24th season this year, the popular ten kilometre a new world record here too. race will lead runners from Republic Square to Rohan Embankment and back again. It will then continue onto Basically you could say Prague is destined for record- the other side of the Vltava. breaking performances. And the organisers are well aware of that too. “We’ve already proven we’re capable “It’s a really fast segment with a beautiful surface and of world records with one in the women’s category no bends in the road or hills to climb. It then takes already in the bag. We’re confi dent that the new course runners along the Vltava all the way to Čech Bridge can shave an additional few seconds off for the men by where they will cross onto Captain Jaroš Embankment, including more straight stretches, even though there and then onto Štefánik Bridge all the way to the fi nish is one more turn. The smooth surface may also have line,” RunCzech Race Director Václav Skřivánek explains. a positive impact on their fi nish times,” Skřivánek adds.

The course will be even faster and more straightforward The latest race won’t be a completely straight run the than in previous years. It has fewer bends and involves likes of which you can fi nd in Laredo. And I see that as less time running on treacherous cobblestones. an advantage. It off ers runners the chance to shift their “Changing the course has allowed us to get rid of rhythm slightly, avoid getting bored, plus there are segments with an elevated profi le, uneven surfaces, some stretches which allow certain muscle groups to cobblestones and poorly lit areas. The new passages regenerate while tapping into others. This way the race will be better lit and the turns more forgiving,” he adds. isn’t monotonous, making sure it’s a fun experience for runners,” he adds. The former profi le of the course set up in 2013 played host to a women’s world record. ’s Joyciline

4 9 3 8 5 6 2 7 1 THE GRAND PRIX OVER TIME During the fi rst years, the race only involved a kilometre circuit around the city centre

The course was later extended to Old Town Square and Pařížská Street, with runners taking on this famous segment a total of three times

The new millenium saw the race shift to Wenceslas Square and Na Příkopy

Since 2013, the race has kicked off from Republic Square covering greater ground across the other side of the Vltava SPLIT TIMES

Description of intermediate times You can use the breakdown of split times below to make estimations about the fi nish times of participating elite athletes. Split times are also useful for checking if competitors have a realistic chance of smashing the world record, race record or Czech record.

1510

0:02:30 0:12:30 0:25:00

0:02:40 0:13:22 0:26:44 World record men

0:02:43 0:13:25 0:26:46 Event record men

0:02:48 0:14:00 0:28:00

World /Event record 0:02:59 0:15:11 0:29:43 Women

0:03:00 0:15:00 0:30:00

Event record 00:0:03:0603:006 0:15:280:15:28 0:0:30:5530:55 cczechzech mmenen

0:03:06 0:15:30 0:31:00

0:03:12 0:16:00 0:32:00

Event record 0:0:03:1903:119 0:16:340:16:34 0:0:33:0733:07 czechczech wwomenomen

0:03:30 0:17:30 0:35:00

0:04:00 0:20:00 0:40:00

0:04:30 0:22:30 0:45:00

0:05:00 0:25:00 0:50:00

0:06:00 0:30:00 0:59:59

Patrons 17 ELITE ATHLETES MEN

Age: 26 | Nationality: Kenya ELITE Personal record in the 10km: 27:18 ATHLETES MEN GEOFFREY KOECH

An athlete living permanently in Nakuru, Kenya

Prague played host to a personal best for the runner last year, whichch was also the thirteenth best performance in history

He specialises in the 10-kilometre distance and half marathons

In addition to 7 wins, he also boastst a number of other outstanding results

In the past he has tended to favourur cross-country runs, only switchingng to road races in recent years

TOP RESULTS: 1st PLACE Hamburg Alsterlauf (2015, GER) OelderSparkassen Citylauf (2018, GER)R) Wierden Wiezo Run (2018, NED) Wiezoloop Wierden (2019, NED)

Offi cial Media Partners PRESS GUIDE

Age: 23 years | Nationality: Kenya Personal best: 27:26

VEDICVED CHEBOI KIPKOECH

He eearned gold and silver medals in 33 000 0 metres at 2013 World Junior CChampionshiph in Donetsk, Ukraine

HHee saidsaid aftera race that he wants to break worldwor record on 3 000 metres in the future

In veryvery hot weather, he ran a faboulous timetim of 28 minutes and 16 seconds in his debut in 10K Würzburg Residenzlauf

He madem big improvements on road raraces,c shaving about 50 seconds in only one year

TOP RESULTS: 1st PLACE AppingedamA Stadsloop (2018, NED) 2nd PLACE WürzburgW Residenzlauf (2018, GER) 3rd PLACE 10km Villa de Laredo (2019, ESP) 10K Valencia Ibercaja (2019, ESP) ELITE ATHLETES MEN

Age: 22 | Nationality: PPersonalersonal bebest:st: 27:27:5454 JEMAL YIMER MEKONNENEN

He fi nished fourth in the 2017 European Cross Country Championships, going on to take fi fth place in the 10 000 metres at the Championships

Despite his young age, he triumphed at last year’s African Running Championship in the 10 000 metres

He ran the fastest debut in history, fi nishing third among the Ethiopians behind running legends Haile Gebrselassiee and Atsedu Tsegaye

TOP PERFORMANCES: 1st PLACE Washington Cherry Blossom 10 Miles (2018 a 2019, USA)

2nd PLACE Corrida Pédestre Internationale de Houilles (2016 a 2017, Francie)

3rd PLACE Addis Abeba Ethiopian Championshipp (2018, ETH)

20 PRESS GUIDE

Age: 23 years | Nationality: Kenya Personal best: 27:10 Sponsor: adidas BENARD KIMELI

Kimeli trained to be a park ranger with the Kenya Wildlife Service and served at Tsavo National Park and Rimoi National Reserve until deciding to focus on professional running.

2x winner of Sportisimo , clocking 59:07 in 2019

He is also the winner of 2017 Birell Prague Grand Prix in an eye- popping 27:10

Benard is a member of RunCzech Racing Alumni

TOP RESULTS: 1st PLACE Utrech Singeloop (2017, NED) Birell Prague Grand Prix (2017, CZE) Würzburg Residenzlauf (2017, GER) Padeborn Osterlauf (2017, GER) Tambach Aloha Zane Branson Memorial 10 000m (2019, KEN)

2nd PLACE Kabarnet Baringo 10K (2017, KEN) Ziwa 10km (2017, KEN) Ottawa 10K (2018, CAN)

21 ELITE ATHLETES MEN

VÍT PAVLIŠTA

He’s quite a phenomenonnomenon among runners, ccapableapable of chasing elite athletesthletes all while managingng to hold down a regular jobob and train twice a day.

He graduated in engineering economicsnomics and has a degreee from the faculty of Mechatronicstronics

Vít is several timeses Czech national championon in the marathon, plus iss also the best current marathonn runner ahead of Jiří Homoláč

Age:Age: 2233 TOP RESULTS: 2nd PLACELACE NNationality:ationality: Běchovice-Praha (2015,2015, CZECZE)) PePersonalrsonal rrecordecord Pečky (2014, CZE) iinn the 10km: 28:07 3rd PLACE Běchovice-Prahae-Praha (2016, CZE)

22 PRESS GUIDE

Age: 23 | Nationality: Personal record in the 10km: 29:26 SEBASTIAN HENDEL

German champion in the 5 000 and 10 000 metres, where in both cases he managed a surprising win over the signifi cantly more experienced Florian Orth

An outstanding athlete, especially on track surfaces

Hendel is trained by his father Udo

In 2016 he got married to the Croatian athlete and distance runner Božić, whom he met while at Iona College in New York.

TOP RESULTS: 1st PLACE Pliezhausen German 10 000m Championship (2018, GER)

2nd PLACE Leiden Gouden Spike (2018, GER) German 10 000m Championship Essen (2019, GER)

23 ELITE ATHLETES WOMEN

Age: 24 | Nationality: Kenya ELITE ATHLETES Personal record in the 10km: 30:06 WOMEN Sponsor: adidas FANCY CHEMUTAI

Competitive runner who is a strong advocate of the adidas initiative Run for the Oceans, believing plastic is a threat to the planet

At the 2017 Birell Prague Grand Prix, she was accompanied by Joyciline Jepkosgei who won the race, securing the second best performance on record

Three times she appeared on the top ten performances of all time, two of which were recorded in Prague

Accolades include winning half marathons in Ras Al Khaimah and in the Dutch city of Zwolle

Her recent stats are rather impressive – finishing no lower than third place in any race over the past four seasons

She currently places 5th on the world rankings, though has previously climbed as high as second

TOP RESULTS: 1st PLACE 2ND PLACE 3RD PLACE Appingedam Stadsloop (2017, NED) Kericho 10km (2016, KEN) ATLANTA B.A.A. 10K BOSTON (2019, USA) Birell Prague Grand Prix (2017 a 2018, CZE) (2019, USA) PRESS GUIDE

Age: 21 | Nationality: Kenya Personal record in the 10km: 30:26

GLORIAH KITE

Hailing from Valencia, her time in the 10km ranks as the tenth best on the historical rankings and the eighth best among individual athletes – and her career is only just getting under way

To date she has mainly focused on running miles and the

This year she received her first invitation to the prestigious Diamond League – participating in a 3 000 metre race in Doha

TOP RESULTS: 1st PLACE Maia Gold Gala Fernanda Ribeiro (2018, POR - racetrack)

2nd PLACE 10K Valencia Ibercaja (2019, SPA) ELITE ATHLETES WOMEN

NORAH JERUTO

Jeruto is a Kenyan steeplechase runner

She was the champion at the African Championships in Athletics in 2016

She ran the third fastest time ever for the at the 2011 World Youth Championships in Athletics, recording 6:16.41 minutes

She fi nished second at 10K race in Valencia in 2018 clocking 31:17

st TOP PERFORMANCES: 1 PLACE Age: 23 | Nationality: Kenya Astana 10km (2018, KAZ) Personal best: 31:17

2nd PLACE Valencia 10km (2018, SPA)

26 PRESS GUIDE

DORCAS Age: 22 | Nationality: Kenya JEPCHUMBA KIMELI Personal best: 31:09 A very promising young talent, Dorcas signed with Run-Fast in August 2017 and has already delivered a number of impressive results, securing a course record, 2 victories, and IAAF Gold Label status in a series of UK races last year

TOP PERFORMANCES: 1ST PLACE Swansea Bay 10K (2017, GBR) Casablanca 10km (2018, MAR) Ottawa 10 K (2019, CAN)

27 ELITE ATHLETES WOMEN

Age: 30 | Nationality: Ukraine | Personal record DARYA MYKHAILOVA in the 10km: 32:27 | Sponsor: adidas

Ukrainian runner who currently lives in

She already won twelve races, most of them in

She has participated in several EuroHeroes races 2019 - a new RunCzech initiative aimed to support European athletes

She ranks second in the EuroHeroes Challenge with 2192 points earned at Mattoni České Budějovice Half Marathon and Mattoni

TOP RESULTS: 1st PLACE Dycha Wtorpol Skarzysko Kamienna (2017, POL) Bieg Konstytucji Stalowa Wola (2015, POL)

2nd PLACE Taulé Morlaix (2016, FRA)

28 PRESS GUIDE

Age: 23 | Nationality: Czech Personal record in the 10km: 36:08 HANA HOMOLKOVÁ

Graduate of the Vincenc Makovský Grammar School which includes sports classes in Nové Město na Moravě

IInn additionadditio to athletics, she also enenjoysj dancing, reading, and loves pancakes

Her mottomo and objective is to nevnevere give up a single race

Her life philosophy is Believe, run, prove!

LaLast year saw her make sigsignificantn improvements to her 10K performances, while this year she has significantly enhanced her times in the half marathon distance

TOP RESULTS: 1st PLACE Night Run ČČeskées Budějovice (2014, CZE) BlanenskáBlan desítka (2018, CZE)

2nd PLACE RunTourR Praha (2018, CZE)

29 BIRELL PRAGUE GRAND PRIX CHART TOPPER

What means to marathon runners, the Birell Prague Grang Prix is to 10K road runners. An incredibly fast course, world-class performances and world records. And above all the huge prestige to be here and to compete with the world’s very best. This is what makes the city in the heart of Europe so exceptional. Join us as we take a stroll through some of the key moments in this race’s history…

WOMEN’S WORLD RECORD Prague is a unique location for international performances and will likely remain so for a long time to come. At the time, it was the only place in the world to have witnessed a women’s 10K result in under 30 minutes. Kenyan star Joyciline Jepkosgei was responsible for such a sensational world record – taking her across the fi nish in 29 minutes and 43 minutes.

THE GREATEST NUMBER OF 10K TOP TIMES IN THE WOMEN’S CATEGORY While we’re on the topic of world records, we cannot forget the historical rankings. The Birell Prague Grand Prix 10K has played host to a total of six world best women’s performances. Joyciline Jepkosgei, Fancy Chemutai, Caroline Chepkoech Kipkirui, Diana Chemtai Kipyogei, Violah Jepchumba and Sheila Chepkirui Kiprotich. All six women have accomplished this feat and what’s more their times are all within 45 seconds of one another. That’s what we call la crème de la crème.

THE SECOND BEST MEN’S TIME IN HISTORY Rhonex Kipruto, 2018. At the time, he was nineteen and nobody really paid him much attention despite his undeniable talent. He sped past everyone, fl ying unstoppably to the fi nish, leaving spectators stunned. With his incredible time of 26:46, he smashed records from heroes such as , , Moses Masai and Micah Kemboi Kogo. And he was just three seconds behind the eight year old world record held by Kipruto’s compatriot .

THE FASTEST COURSE The Birell Prague Grand Prix ranks among the top six fastest courses in the world. The others are Utrecht and in the , New York in the USA, plus Barcelona and Valencia in Spain. 10 KM IN THE WORLD BIRELL PRAGUE GRAND PRIX 5&10 KM BEST MEN’S PERFORMANCES OF ALL TIME

N. Date Name Country Ranking City Time

1 10. 1. 2010 Leonard Patrick KOMON KEN 1 Utrecht (NED) 26:44

2 8. 9. 2018 Rhonex KIPRUTO KEN 1 PRAGUE (CZE) 26:46

3 29. 3. 2009 Micah Kemboi KOGO KEN 1 Brunssum (NED) 27:01

4 13. 12. 2002 Haile GEBRSELASSIE ETH 1 Doha (QAT) 27:02 Josphat Kiprono 5 18. 4. 2010 KEN 1 Barcelona (ESP) 27:04 MENJO 6 1. 4. 2007 Micah Kemboi KOGO KEN 1 Brunssum (NED) 27:07

7 29. 4. 2018 Rhonex KIPRUTO KEN 1 New York, NY (USA) 27:08

8 6. 9. 2009 Peter KAMAIS KEN 1 Tilburg (NED) 27:09

9 27. 9. 2009 Leonard Patrick KOMON KEN 1 Utrecht (NED) 27:10

10 9. 9. 2017 Benard KIMELI KEN 1 PRAGUE (CZE) 27:10

32 PRESS GUIDE BEST WOMEN’S PERFORMANCES OF ALL TIME

N. Date Name Country Ranking City Time

PRAGUE 1 9. 9. 2017 Joyciline JEPKOSGEI KEN 1 (CZE) 29:43 PRAGUE 2 9. 9. 2017 Fancy CHEMUTAI KEN 2 (CZE) 30:06 Valencia 3 13. 1. 2019 Tsehay GEMECHU ETH 1 (ESP) 30:15 PRAGUE 4 8. 9. 2018 Caroline Chepkoech KIPKIRUI KEN 1 (CZE) 30:19 San Juan 5 23. 2. 2003 GBR 1 30:21 (PUR) PRAGUE 6 8. 9. 2018 Fancy CHEMUTAI KEN 2 (CZE) 30:22 Appingedam 7 24. 6. 2017 Fancy CHEMUTAI KEN 1 30:23 (NED) PRAGUE 8 8. 9. 2018 Diana Chemtai KIPYOGEI KEN 3 (CZE) 30:23 PRAGUE 9 10. 9. 2016 Violah JEPCHUMBA BRN 1 (C(CZE)ZE) 30:24 ValenciaValencia 100 13.13. 11.. 2019 Gloriah KITE KENKEN 2 (ESP) 30:2630:26

33 BIRELLSPORTISIMO PRAGUE PRAGUE GRAND HALF PRIX MARATHON 5&10 KM TOP 10 BEST PERFORMANCES OF 2019 - MEN

27:13 Stephen KISSA UGA Laredo (ESP) 17 March 2019

27:23 Chala REGASA ETH Valencia (ESP) 13 January 2019

27:26 Vedic KIPKOECH KEN Valencia (ESP) 13 January 2019

27:26 Nibret MELAK ETH Laredo (ESP) 17 March 2019

27:31 UGA Manchester (GBR) 19 May 2019

27:34 Alex KORIO KEN Cape Elizabeth (USA) 03 August 2019

27:35 Vincent Kiprotich KIBET KEN Würzburg (GER) 14 April 2019

27:35 Abdallah Kibet MANDE UGA Port Gentil (GAB) 30 June 2019

27:38 Kennedy KIMUTAI KEN Laredo (ESP) 17 March 2019

27:39 Betesfa GETAHUN ETH Valencia (ESP) 13 January 2019

Stephen KISSA

34 PRESS GUIDE TOP 10 BEST PERFORMANCES OF 2019 - WOMEN

30:15 Tsehay GEMECHU ETH Valencia (ESP) 13 January 2019

30:26 Gloriah KITE KEN Valencia (ESP) 13 January 2019

30:36 Fancy CHEMUTAI KEN Boston (USA) 23 June 2019

30:43 Evaline CHIRCHIR KEN Valencia (ESP) 13 January 2019

30:50 Rosemary Monica WANJIRU KEN Valencia (ESP) 13 January 2019

30:55 Sheila CHELANGAT KEN Port Gentil (GAB) 30 June 2019

30:59 Senbere TEFERI ETH New York (USA) 28 January 2019

30:59 Helalia JOHANNES NAM Durban (RSA) 23 June 2019

31:02 Antonina KWAMBAI KEN Valencia (ESP) 13 January 2019

31:04 Brillian Jepkorir KIPKOECH KEN Boston (USA) 23 June 2019

Tsehay GEMECHU

35 PRESS GUIDE THE WORLD’S FASTEST COURSES 1. - THE NETHERLANDS 6. CURSA DE BOMBERS - BARCELONA, SPAIN The world’s fastest course. Leonard Komon has managed The event was in its heyday when Josphat Menjo won to hold on to this record for 9 years, even following the the race here in 2010 . Since that time, it has become multiple record year of 2017. This should come as no an exclusively domestic Spanish race, though is open to surprise. With 20 times under 28 minutes, the bar is everyone who wants to try running one of the world’s particularly high on the Utrecht course. fastest 10K races.

2. PRAGUE GRAND PRIX – CZECH REPUBLIC 7. PEACHTREE ROAD RACE - ATLANTA, USA Only Prague has a greater number of exceptional times The famous race for 60 thousand runners is 14. It is the than Ultrecht. A beautiful, fast and attractive course. biggest race in the world, and has been held on the most Joyciline Jepkosgei secured the women’s world record important day in America – Independence Day (4th here while Rhonex Kipruto delivered the second best July) each year since 1970. delivered performance in history. a sensational time of 30:32 here eleven years ago, and this year Rhonex Kipruto added an extra layer of 3. - , SPAIN uniqueness with his super performance of 27:01. The race This race stands out in that two particularly special men is also unusual in that it uses its own system of regional have run here in one race under 27 minutes. They are races to pick runners for the main event. none other than (world record holder in the marathon) and . It is also well-known 8. TILBURG 10K – THE NETHERLANDS for a dispute regarding the absolute winner in 2006, If we were to take the very best women’s times recorded which had to be verifi ed with a photograph taken at in the picturesque Dutch city of Tilburg, it would boast the the fi nish line. Last year’s race also saw Ugandan runner third best time on the planet. Part of this has to do with Daniel Kiplimo deliver the absolute top world time of the celebrated Ethiopian athlete and his 26:41, though it went unrecognised as a world record time of 30:30. The city also hosts another running event owing to the downhill profi le of the course. - the Tilburg 10 Miles - on the same day, however the 10K course is more well-known and yields the greastest 4. - BRUNSSUM - THE NETHERLANDS number of fast times. A race that translates as the Pearl Run in Dutch. At the turn of the new millenium, this popular event was starting 9. - GERMANY to come to terms with declining spectator interest, and One of the most consistent races ever with a new race then in 2009 everything went full circle with ’s record each year – currently standing at 27:12. Also thanks world record performance of 27:01. to ’s time (30:37 in 2013), it is the fourth fastest European race in the women’s category. 5. QSI 10K ROAD RACE - DOHA, QATAR December 2002. Following an injury to his calf upon 10. PADERBORN OSTERLAUF - GERMANY completing his marathon debut in London, the best long This Easter time race ranks as one of the smallest on our distance runner on the planet Haile Gebrselassie heads to list. Despite its modest size, it has climbed to the dizzy the ever sprawling arid desert to mark his comeback. As heights of big race status thanks to Benard Kimeli’s ever he came prepared, and also ran a world record of mindblowing time of 27:18 – placing Padeborn well and 27:02 which remained unbroken for a further seven years. truly on the running map.

Note: US races in New Orleans, Cape Elizabeth, Pittsburgh as well as Madrid in Spain also off er exceptionally fast courses for men and women, however records at these races are not recognised. 3636 BIRELL PRAGUE GRAND PRIX 5&10 KM

CONTINENTAL RECORDS AT 10 KM MEN WOMEN Africa

Leonard Joyciline 26:44 29:43 KEN Komon KEN Jepkosgei

Asia

Abraham Violah 27:51 30:05 BRU Cheroben BRU Jepchumba

Europe

Julien Paula 27:25 30:21 SUI Wanders GBR Radcliff e

North America, Caribbean

Mark Shalane 27:23 30:52 USANenow USA Flanagan

Oceania

Zane Benita Robertson 27:28 Willis 31:17

South America

Marilson Carmen 27:51 32:03 BRA dos Santos BRA de Oliveira

37 BIRELL. PRAGUE GRAND PRIX 5&10 KM

NATIONAL RECORDS - MEN

KENYA LEONARD KOMON - 26.44 – 26TH SEPTEMBER 2010 (UTRECHT, THE NETHERLANDS)

ETHIOPIA HAILE GEBRSELASSIE - 27:02 – 11TH DECEMBER 2002 (DOHA, QATAR)

GERMANY CARSTEN EICH - 27:47 - 10 APRIL 1993 (PADERBORN, GERMANY)

FRANCE ABDELLAH BÉHAR - 28:05 – 7TH NOVEMBER 1999 (PARIS, FRANCE)

MAROCCO ABDELLAH FALIL - 27:56 – 16TH JUNE 2007 (LANGUEUX, FRANCE)

SPAIN ANTONIO ABADIA - 27:48 – 17TH MARCH 2018 (LAREDO, SPAIN)

BELGIUM KOEN ALLAERT - 28:33 – 6TH JULY 1999 (TESSENDERLO, )

ROMANIA LAURENTIU STAICU CRISTENEL IRIMIA - 21ST MAY 2002 (LE HAVRE, FRANCE)

SWEDEN MUSTAFA MOHAMED - 28:12 – 18TH MAY 2008 (MANCHSTER, GREAT BRITAIN)

POLAND ANTONI NIEMCZAK - 28:15 – 16TH NOVEMBER 1986 (RALEIGH, USA)

CZECH REPUBLIC MICHAL KUČERA - 29:02 - SEPTEMBER 1996 (DRESDEN, GERMANY)

SWITZERLAND ULIEN WANDERS - 27:25 - 30 DECEMBER 2018 (HOUILLES, FRANCE) PRESS GUIDE

NATIONAL RECORDS - WOMEN

KENYA JOYCILINE JEPKOSGEI - 29:43 – 9TH SEPTEMBER 2017 (PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC)

ETHIOPIA TSEHAY GEMECHU - 30:15 – 13TH JANUARY 2019 (VALENCIA, SPAIN)

MOLDOVA TATYANA ZUYEVA - 33:21 – 5TH MARCH 1994 (PLANT CITY, USA)

UKRAINE NATALIJA BERKUT - 31:14 – 21ST MAY 2006 (MANCHESTER, GREAT BRITAIN)

GREAT BRITAIN PAULA RADCLIFFE - 30:21 – 23RD FEBRUARY 2003 (SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO)

CROATIA LISA STUBLIĆ - 32:45 – 28TH MARCH 2015 (PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC)

BELARUS YEKATERINA KHRAMENKOVA - 32:23 – 24TH JUNE 1989 (NEW YORK, USA)

CZECH REPUBLIC PETRA DRAJZAJTLOVÁ - 32:29 – 17TH JUNE 2000 (RIJSBERGEN, THE NETHERLANDS) RUNCZECH RACES 2019

NAPOLI CITY SPORTISIMO VOLKSWAGEN HALF MARATHON PRAGUE PRAGUE HALF MARATHON MARATHON 24 FEBRUARY 6 APRIL 5 MAY

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MATTON BIRELL OLOMOUC PRAGUE PRAGUE GRAND PRIX HALF MARATHON RELAY 5 & 10 KM 15 JUNE 25 / 26 / 27 JUNE 7 SEPTEMBER

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